School Health Advisory Committee

​How do Montana statistics compare to the United States?​In 2015, over 50% of Montana youth have tried e-cigarettes or vaping devices and 30% are currently using. Current e-cigarette use among youth in the U.S. tripled from 4.5% in 2013 to 13.4% in 2014 (National Youth Tobacco Survey). National data for 2015 is not yet available.

What do parents need to know?

Parents need to know that these devices are unregulated, so we simply do not know the chemical contents of the products or their long-term health effects and that use of the devices could lead to later use of conventional cigarettes.

E-cigarettes typically deliver nicotine, which at a young age causes lasting harm to brain development, promotes addiction, and may lead to sustained tobacco use. In 2015, e-cigarettes became the most commonly used tobacco product in Montana among youth, surpassing conventional cigarettes. Current use of tobacco products among Montana youth is:

13.1% are current cigarette smokers12.6% are current cigar/cigarillo smokers12.3% are current smokeless tobacco users29.5% are current e-vapor product users

Source: DPHHS Montana Tobacco Use Program

One of the best things about living under the Big Sky is enjoying the outdoors, sun or snow. Although many kids are involved in winter sports and after school activities that get them moving, only 27% of high school kids surveyed by the Center for Disease Control were active for at least 60 minutes a day. Regular exercise in children and adolescents not only improves strength and endurance, but it can also have positive effects on stress, anxiety, and self-esteem and can lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. For exercise ideas and information, visit www.letsmove.govand get moving!